BizVoice -- March / April 2018

72 BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – March/April 2018 Pilot Promotes High School Internships EARLIER ENTRY By Symone C. Skrzycki Conner Battinau, an 18-year-old high school senior and basketball player, raves about his internship with a local contractor. You could even call his experience a game changer. “I feel ahead of the game big time,” he declares passionately. “It’s kind of funny. My mom and I always joke now that I was pretty discouraged about what I was going to do. I’ve never been a really strong school student. I’m glad I found out about this because everyone’s got a niche in their talents and it’s just about finding it.” His talents and work ethic impressed the team at Koombobber Construction. Slated to graduate from Greenwood Community High School (GHS) in May, Battinau became an employee in February. It’s a story GHS principal Todd Garrison loves to tell as he describes a pilot program that will connect high school students and employers with internship opportunities. “How many times can we do that (replicate Battinau’s success) over and over? That’s our goal.” Although the pilot hadn’t launched when Battinau first connected with Koombobber, his experience illustrates the power of high school internships. “We’re aware of what employers are saying. We’re aware of what they need and what they’re not getting, so we’re trying to bridge that gap,” Garrison contends. “They need employees. They need skills. They want soft skills. We all know what it is that they need.” He challenges employers to “help develop those skills within your own business” by hosting an internship. Indiana INTERNnet – a free internship-matching program linking employers, students, high schools, colleges and universities – launched the high school pilot targeting seniors in fall 2017. It’s partnering with the Indiana Chamber Foundation, GHS and Owen Valley High School in Spencer. “An expanded focus will provide high school students with more career exploration prior to college,” explains Indiana INTERNnet executive director Janet Boston. “Collaboration among schools and employers will promote more middle skills job connections and introduce an earlier pipeline of talent into the state's workforce.” Career connections Experiential learning isn’t a new concept at GHS. Currently, 13 seniors take part in internships. Another 50 are enrolled in its Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education Program. What’s different about the pilot, Garrison points out, is that it’s a “one-stop resource.” “The INTERNnet site (a searchable database, matching and reporting system) has been so valuable to the collegiate level with connecting employers and students and placing kids in internships of their choice. Now that the internship piece is becoming more prevalent and important to students at the high school level, it’s using that same concept with a few minor tweaks.” – Experience is the father of wisdom Indiana Vision 2025: Outstanding Talent Conner Battinau, then a construction intern (now an employee), picks up ricks of wood for transport. Selyna Burton is the first Greenwood High School student to intern at Honey Grove Educational Center.

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